Positive mental attitude may not seem like an overall health advantage as it’s hard to quantify and see the tangible benefit that it can have. For example with a broken leg you are able to see the progress and timescale in which you’re able to heal. However, although harder to measure, it has now been widely accepted that Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) is one of the most powerful tools we possess to overcome everyday psychological barriers. Below are the best ways to incorporate positive thinking in everyday life!

1. Avoid Negative thinking and those who defend it!

It doesn’t matter whether it is in the workplace or simply during leisure time, avoiding negative people is crucial to maintaining a positive thought process. How many times have you heard someone say that “they are not negative, they’re just realistic”. This well thought out myth will inevitably keep you locked in a room of negative thought.

A persons thoughts, either positive or negative, will ultimately have an effect on their environment. If you’re thinking negatively then your default thought process will be to confirm that the world is an abysmal place. In turn, this will create a downward spiral of negativity, leading fear to prevail.

Positive thinking on the other hand works the same way. With positive thinking, you will automatically seek positive choices and expect positive results. This will help you combat the fear that is apparent with negative thinking. Therefore, a person’s thinking will dictate and determine their reality.

2. Focus on the present

Many people seem to add to their existing problems by building them up mentally to be bigger than they actually are. I mean how often do people worry about things for days, weeks, even months which end up being much less of a problem than originally anticipated or even better not happening at all. We all seem to be guilty of it!

However, by focusing on the present you can eliminate any bad feeling you have towards your past and won’t needlessly worry about the what ifs of the future. It can also see an uplift in productivity with your present task as your mind will be giving greater focus to the now!

3. Be Grateful

Your life may not be perfect, it may be far from it but is important to stand back and have an impartial view about the things that you should be grateful for. Remind yourself of all the reasons you have to be proud of in your life, this will help you to focus on your current stage of mental thought process. It’s also valuable to have a sense of perspective. For example you may be experiencing but there will always be people in a worse situation that you could help with!

Remember that how you view your life and your surroundings is for the most part, your choice. And being thankful will displace negative feelings of anger and frustration with a more positive outlook. This is one of the best ways to foster the habit of gratitude.

4. You’re the master of your own reactions

As previously mentioned earlier, we create our outside reality by the thoughts in which we possess internally. There are of course things that happen both internally and externally which are beyond control but our reactions can be controlled and even used to our advantage. Essentially, you have more control than you think.

In his award winning book Thinking Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman, describes beings as having two reactions processes. The first is your ‘system one’ which is your initial reaction to statements, actions and signs etc. This is your very first thought process and will often be a rash judgement or feeling towards someone or something. ‘System two’ on the other hand is a form of vetting for system one which allows you to take in a whole variety of factors before reaching a conclusion.

Therefore, it is important to take time to process all of the information you have to finally reach an educated and full conclusion. Try to avoid shouting out your system one and remember ultimately you have the power over your own reactions.

5. View life as an ongoing journey and not a final destination

Viewing life as an ongoing journey is crucial to having positive mental attitude and feeling a sense of satisfaction in your life.

The trouble with treating life as a final destination is that you will never be truly satisfied! This is because you will continually be finding new ways to try and find a completed state of mind when in truth there isn’t one. There are always going to be good times and bad times and it’s important to roll with the punches so to speak.

At the end of the day we do not need to arrive at a destination if we accept that we are already here. Try and be content with where you are today and avoid the mistake of waiting for life to happen. Sometimes you will need to actively make the effort to enjoy the journey. Finally, it is paramount to know that life has no guarantees but the way you look at it can be an option. A choice. Your choice!